The Future of Veeva Services: Strategic Transformation Insights from Our Experts

This Q&A session, featuring experts from Everest Group, provides an in-depth analysis of the rapidly evolving Veeva services landscape and its role in strategic transformation within the life sciences industry. The discussion is framed by the context of a recent assessment of over 30 service providers in the Veeva ecosystem. The central theme is the shift in mindset among life sciences companies, moving away from siloed, one-off IT projects toward building comprehensive, platform-driven digital ecosystems—with Veeva, alongside platforms like Salesforce and IQ, forming the digital backbone necessary for scalability, data integrity, and regulatory compliance.

The experts identify three critical differentiators separating top-performing service providers in the dynamic Veeva environment. First, successful providers are productizing their Intellectual Property (IP), moving beyond simple implementation to packaging migration toolkits and accelerators that can be reused across multiple clients. Second, they are embedding deep consulting and advisory capabilities, engaging with clients early to shape roadmaps well before an RFP is issued. Third, and most crucially, these leaders are embedding responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their solutions. This integration is seen as non-negotiable for future success, driving efficiency and innovation across the value chain.

The conversation addresses the "buzz vs. reality" of AI in the life sciences boardroom, confirming that tangible impact is already being delivered across both the development and commercial clouds. In the Development Cloud, AI is automating the generation of validation scripts and the creation of submission documents, streamlining crucial regulatory processes. On the commercial side, AI is summarizing Healthcare Professional (HCP) notes and recommending next best actions for sales teams. A major caveat highlighted is the necessity of "trust" in AI deployment, making Veeva’s certification on AI program increasingly vital. Life sciences enterprises demand that AI be deployed within a compliant environment, ensuring adherence to strict industry regulations.

Looking ahead, the next phase of leadership in life sciences platform services will be defined by "orchestration"—the ability to seamlessly connect different value chain elements and various cloud platforms. The ultimate success factor for service providers will be their capacity to embed AI at every layer of the solution stack to influence business outcomes. Furthermore, the most successful clients view transformation as a partnership, co-investing in accelerators and continuous improvement rather than simply relying on the platform itself to deliver all necessary modernization. Clients who fail often make the mistake of expecting the platform alone to drive transformation, neglecting the need for co-creation with their service partners.

Detailed Key Takeaways

• Platform Ecosystem Mindset is Mandatory: Life sciences companies are abandoning one-off IT projects and are instead focusing on building integrated platform ecosystems (Veeva, Salesforce, IQ) that serve as the digital backbone for the organization, prioritizing scalability, data integrity, and compliance.
• Provider Differentiation through IP Productization: Top service providers are moving beyond basic implementation services by productizing their IP, offering reusable assets like migration toolkits and accelerators to speed up deployment and deliver repeatable value to customers.
• Advisory Capabilities Precede RFPs: Successful providers are embedding deep consulting and advisory expertise, allowing them to engage with clients early, shape strategic roadmaps, and influence transformation direction before formal Request for Proposals (RFPs) are even issued.
• Responsible AI is a Core Differentiator: Embedding responsible AI is now a key factor separating leading Veeva service providers, requiring them to integrate AI solutions that are not only effective but also trustworthy and compliant with regulatory standards.
• AI Delivers Tangible Value in Development Cloud: Specific AI applications are already automating critical regulatory and operational tasks, such as the automatic generation of validation scripts and the creation of submission documents within the Development Cloud.
• AI Optimizes Commercial Operations: In the Commercial Cloud, AI is actively summarizing notes from Healthcare Professional (HCP) interactions and providing intelligent recommendations for "next best actions," significantly enhancing sales force effectiveness and commercial strategy.
• Compliance and Trust are Paramount for AI Adoption: The widespread adoption of AI in life sciences hinges on trust and regulatory compliance; enterprises are prioritizing providers who can deploy AI solutions within a compliant environment, often referencing Veeva’s certification on AI program.
• Client Success Requires Co-Creation: The most successful clients view transformation as a true partnership, actively co-investing in accelerators and continuous improvement initiatives rather than merely hiring a vendor and expecting the platform alone to deliver modernization.
• Avoid the Platform-Only Pitfall: A common mistake made by clients is expecting the platform (Veeva) to automatically bring in all necessary modernization, neglecting the need for internal investment, process re-engineering, and collaborative development with service partners.
• Future Leadership Defined by Orchestration: The next phase of leadership in platform services will be defined by the ability to "orchestrate"—connecting disparate value chain elements and integrating different cloud platforms (e.g., connecting Veeva CRM with other enterprise systems) for holistic business outcomes.
• AI Must Be Embedded at Every Layer: Future leaders must demonstrate the capability to embed AI not just as a feature, but across every layer of the technology stack to maximize influence on core business outcomes and operational efficiency.

Key Concepts

• Platform Ecosystems: The strategic shift in life sciences from using individual software tools to building integrated digital backbones (like Veeva, Salesforce, IQ) that ensure enterprise-wide scalability, data integrity, and compliance.
• Productizing IP: The practice of service providers packaging proprietary methodologies, tools, and accelerators (e.g., migration toolkits) into reusable products to increase efficiency and speed of delivery across multiple client engagements.
• Orchestration: The future strategic imperative for service providers, focusing on connecting and coordinating different cloud platforms and value chain elements to achieve seamless, end-to-end business processes.
• Veeva's Certification on AI Program: A regulatory-focused program that validates the compliance and trustworthiness of AI solutions deployed within the Veeva ecosystem, crucial for life sciences enterprises operating in regulated environments.